Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Need a chronograph

I’m looking for recommendations on a reasonably priced chronograph. I shoot a decent amount but just want something that I can use for initial load data. The guns I’ll be testing are hunting rifles.

I have the basic Magnetospeed and it does everything I want and easy to use. Only problem is you really can't test for accuracy while using it because it mounts on the barrel. If I had it to do over I would buy another. If you are working up loads it's a bit of a pain but in aint $500 either. I think I gave around $160. The ones on stand are OK I guess, never used one.

Shawn

Advise

when you get it

Do not loan it out !

My son and I just bought a Garmin....because we had....well....a teeny bit of an issue with the MagnetoSpeed V3.

Kinda glad because I have some handgun workup I would like to do and the MagnetoSpeed can't do any of that short barrel semi auto stuff.

Looking forward to finding out this weekend that everybody has been right about the Garmin.

The Garmin is the real deal. Small, light and works very well. Kinda pricey but awesome machine

Used ones are all over the place----CHEAP! Due to Garmin coming out with theirs. Pick and choose---CHEAP!!!

They all have there draw backs & good sides. If you like to shoot the small stuff like 17 or 20 Caliber the radar units may not be for you. If you want to test for accuracy & velocity at the same time the magneto speed may be lacking. then if you wish to shoot with low light the optical units may be compermised.

competition is making prices a bit more attractive. only you can decide. Good to see you are doing your research.

I have a Labradar and really like it never drops a shot but like Hunterapp said it will not pick up 17 and 20 cal.
I bought a 3D printed aiming that clips to the top makes it simple to line up with a target. The remote battery pack lasts forever.

Good to know. My son has a 204 Ruger that I have all the components for.
Thank you all for the advice. It’s much appreciated.

I just got a Garmin and retired my Oehler after nearly 40 years. Amortizing the $600 I paid for the Oehler over that time it cost me about $15/year to have accurate data. Quality and accuracy don't come cheap but are worth it in the long run.
If you were closer I would give you the Oehler. Good luck with your search.

Another vote here for the entry level Magnetospeed for basic load development on a hunting rifle.

Sure, I'd love to own a new Garmin. But, if cost is a an important factor in your decision, the Magnetospeed is a pretty good option.

The basic magnetospeed works for the basic stuff, entry level unit at a entry level price,

Bought the Garmin and sold the Mag,

The Garmin now does everything I need it to do, which means the magneto was actually the expensive one .

Buy once cry once.

Hint............

Get the Garmin and don’t look back. Too easy!

I have a Shooting Chrony, one of the lower end units with less features. It is the third Shooting Chrony I have owned and have had it well over 30 years. I think it is either the Alpha or Beta it is Green. You have to buy a remote button to look at data, which I have. The remote button is very handy (and necessary). It works very well except in bright sunlight.

I had an older, original, red colored Shooting Chrony that that the card board sky screens. It showed way more errors than recorded shots!

Then I bought a Blue colored Shooting Chrony that had tones of features. It was so complicated to just test some velocity of loads. I traded it even up for the one I have currently. I do not miss it one bit.

What is it that you really need? Just something to tell you your velocities? I see a lot of guys thinking they need the ones that give you all kinds of data. I just need one to tell me the velocity. Others mileage may vary greatly.


I probably have the oldest chronograph here, but it works, it was cheap, and it tells me everything I need or want to know.

Yeah…pretty much just want to see MV. At least have a little info on what they are actually doing. I shoot for real world data but some numbers would be nice .

The new Garmin is fantastic. I have used many different chronograghs over the decades.
They all worked…..but…… they all had issues.
The Garmin checks all boxes. You get exactly what you paid for. Works for suppressed guns too.
Good luck to you Sir……

I've still got an Oehler 35P that I bought in the 90s that I keep for a back-up. The printer finally wore out and they replaced wit for the cost of labor. It's a tank that just keeps going.

It's just a little bit of a PITA to set up due to how my bench sits on my range:



A couple years ago I bought a LabRadar and won't look back. It's just so easy to set up that I can get MVs for varying temps while practicing.



IF/When it craps out I'll probably try the Garmin.